Make your presentations outstanding by breaking these 10 habits

If your presentations aren't memorable and engaging, certain habits could be standing in your way. See how to turn those habits around and achieve positive results.

If your presentations aren't memorable and engaging, certain habits could be standing in your way. See how to turn those habits around and achieve positive results.

Your chances of being tapped to deliver a formal presentation are much higher than they were just a few years ago. In fact, by some estimates, as many as one-fourth of the jobs in the United States will require employees to give a formal presentation in 2010.

Unfortunately, many presenters fall into certain habits that become barriers to communication. These habits are breakable, though — and each has a good substitute to take its place. The positive replacements focus on making the content clear, relevant, and memorable. And they can turn an adequate presentation into one that's remarkable. Here's a summary of 10 bad habits you can break.

The ideas in this article are drawn from the upcoming book Creating a Remarkable Presentation by Overcoming Ten Breakable Habits, published by CreateSpace and scheduled for release in January 2010. Full details are available at www.tenbreakablehabits.com or via e-mail at jeff@tenbreakablehabits.com or on twitter @jeffcerny.